Read More

“Yes, but it is not just about him. It is about everyone,” said Karanka, when asked if the ideal scenario for him would be to have to apologise to Morais after the final whistle.

Barnsley boss Jose Morais

“Last Saturday, Cardiff were playing for promotion. I wanted to win that game, even though Cardiff were playing for something really important.

“It will be difficult, but I need to be honest with my club, with my players and we have to try to beat him.

“After the game we will be friends again. I will hope to beat him then, perhaps, offer him an apology afterwards. I know he would do the same. You just need to be honest with everyone.”

This is not an unfamiliar path for Karanka, who came close to causing a shock against Jose Mourinho at Manchester United last season, while with Middlesbrough.

Boro were leading thanks to a goal from Grant Leadbitter, before Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba struck in the 85th and 86th minutes, to change the course of the game completely.

“For 90 minutes, you are not friends. After the game, you are friends again,” said Karanka. “Last season we were beating Jose’s side 1-0 at Old Trafford… then they scored in the last five minutes to win.

Read More

“We were friends after the game but not during the game. He (Morais) is my good friend, we worked together for three years at Real Madrid, with Mourinho.

“This is a really important game for them, because this is the game they have in hand over the other teams.

Jose Mourinho and Aitor Karanka look on from the sideleins during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on December 31, 2016 (Image: Getty)

“We need to play our game; we need to know that we are playing without pressure – but we cannot confuse that for not being able to play without intensity or aggression.

“We need to play and we need to fight for every single ball.”

Karanka’s own motivation is fuelled by a desire to send Forest fans into the summer in positive mood, as they head into their final two home games, against the Tykes tomorrow and Bristol City on Saturday.

Read More

“It is important to do that (send the fans into the summer feeling happy). We are good, we are improving,” he said. “Performing well at home is important. If we want to achieve something, we need to be strong at the City Ground.

“We want to end our season at home with two wins. Both Barnsley and Bristol City are playing for something.

“We need to respect the league and respect the teams who are still playing for something. We need to try to win for ourselves. We are playing for this club and we need to win for Forest.”

With Bristol City chasing the play-offs and a trip to relegation battlers Bolton to come on the final day, all three of Forest’s opponents have something to play for. But Karanka is happy to have it that way, rather than to have three games that mean little to either of the sides involved.

“I prefer to have these games. I cannot do the changes I would like to do, perhaps. But we do have the added motivation of playing against teams who still have something to play for,” he said.